Mumbai, Goa, Cochin, Munnar and Thattekad
Goa and South India Birding Tour
Overview
Goa is a birder’s paradise with many species endemic to peninsular India as well as many wintering species from farther north and more widespread Asian birds calling it home. Kerala is known for its species richness, with more than 450 bird species and a good diversity of mammals. Both of these bird-rich regions make South India a must-visit for any birder!
Located at an altitude of 1600 m, Munnar is a haven for peace and tranquility. From vast tea plantations to an array of trekking trails and magical waterfalls, the place is blessed with several scenic spots which are capable of making your southern journey experiential. Munnar has several temples, viewpoints, and waterfalls one can visit, as well as the famous tea plantations.
Apart from the scenic beauty, Munnar is also a fantastic wildlife and birding destination. The nearby Eravikulam National Park and several “sholas” (a type of alpine meadow specific to the Western Ghats) make for a variety of endemic species.
Thattekkad, officially known as the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is a lowland forest with several types of ecosystems – Riverine, Grasslands, Evergreen, Scrub, Dry Deciduous, Lowland Forest, enabling it to be one of the best birding destinations in India. The forests of Thattekkad are also home to most of the endemics of the Western Ghats, including White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Wayanad Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, apart from owls like the Mottled Wood Owl, Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl, and Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl. You should also be able to sight the Red Spurfowl, Grey Junglefowl, and the Grey-headed Fish Eagle.
Meals: On Own
Accommodation: In the Hotel
Arrive at Mumbai airport in the evening. You will be met and transferred to the airport hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast in Mumbai and Dinner Goa
Accommodation: Nature’s Nest
Take a morning flight from Mumbai to Goa. Arrive in Goa in the late morning. You will be met and transferred to your hotel to spend two nights birding in the forests and along the streams around the camp. Within the camp itself you should be able to find some specialties including Malabar Grey Hornbill, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Blue-winged Parakeet, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher and Malabar Whistling Thrush! At night, you can listen for the calls of owls, nightjars, and Sri Lanka Frogmouth.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Nature’s Nest
Another day of birding around your camp.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Blue-winged Parakeet, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Malabar Starling
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Marinha Dourada
Morning birding in the area. You will be transferred to the hotel in Baga. This will be our base for much of the following days. After a break we’ll do some local late afternoon birding near our hotel. We can also search for species such as Crested Serpent Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Plum-headed Parakeet, and more.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Olive Brooks or similar
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Cochin via Bangalore at 0815 hrs (airport check-in time for this flight will be 0615 hrs). Arrive in Bangalore at 0925 hrs and again board the second flight to Cochin at 1240 hrs. Arrive in Cochin at 1355 hrs. Transfer to Munnar (4.5 - 5 hours). Arrive in Munnar in the late evening.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Olive Brooks
Three full days birding in and around Munnar. Around Munnar, the pockets of the shola forest and Nilgiri mountain grassland ecosystem are home to several of the endemic birds and various mammals including the endemic Nilgiri Tahr. Here we will look for several of the South Indian and Nilgiri Hills endemic bird species.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Thrush, Palani Laughingthrush, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Black-rumped Flameback, Great Hornbill, Little Spiderhunter, White-rumped Munia
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Soma Birds Lagoon
For a couple of hours, explore on foot along the road from Olivebrook if there was no time the day before, then leave around 1200 hrs (after early lunch or with packed lunch) for Thattekkad. Check in at Soma Birds Lagoon. In the late afternoon, head out for some local bird watching around the signalling station.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Indian Pitta, Orange-headed Thrush, Flame-throated Bulbul, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Sri Lanka Frogmouth
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Soma Birds Lagoon
A full day of birding in Thattekkad. Overnight stay
Note: From a birding point of view these walks are very rewarding, ask us for a check list
Key species: Grey-headed Bulbul, Wayanad Laughingthrush, White-bellied Treepie, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, Red Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Rufous Babbler, Blue-faced Malkoha, Brown-breasted Flycatcher
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In the hotel
Enjoy a morning birding session in Thattekad. Leave for Cochin airport at 1100 hrs, for a flight back to Mumbai at 1600 hrs (check-in time will be at 1400 hrs). Arrive in Mumbai at 1800 hrs. Transfer to the airport hotel for overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Transfer to Mumbai airport International terminal for your onward flight back. Tour ends.
Highlights
- A large list of bird species
- Endemic variety of birds, great birding
- Excellent seafood & South Indian Food
- Sightseeing
- Amazing landscape of Goa & Kerala
- Comfortable lodging
Included
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis Meals as per the itinerary
- Guided birding throughout in Goa Guided birding throughout in Kerala
- Permits and entry fee All surface transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle
Video
Location
Stories
Ladakh
North India, the land of Ladakh, looks as though it was made for birdwatching and photography.
Gir National Park Gujarat
Sometimes it is not just the species spotted but also the amazing moments. Some of our guests had the unique opportunity to witness the mating of Asiatic Lions in the Gir Forest, truly a special moment.
Delhi
Surajpur is an amazing wetland close to the nation’s capital. Apart from being one of the monsoon homes for the Bristled Grassbird, it is also home to another sought-after species: the Bengal Bush Lark.
Rajasthan
One advantage of living near the birding hotspot of Bharatpur is that you can see some amazing birds, like the graceful Sarus Crane, in your backyard during this lockdown
